Dodging Acorns, Welcoming Fall & Moving Our City Forward!

As I write this, it’s still September, and we’re recovering from the blazingly hot spell of summer, with its long stretch of 100° temperatures. But I know it’s fall—I’ve been whacked by, and have had to dodge, the huge acorns dropping from our giant White Oak tree! Soon, they’ll be followed by falling leaves, turning from the bright green of summer to muted tones of olive, mixed with shades of yellow and orange.

Back-to-school traffic has begun in earnest, along with the familiar “beep, beep” of school buses. Please keep your eyes open for parents with kiddos waiting on street corners for pick-up or drop-off, as well as for our new drivers. And Halloween will be upon us before we know it! St. Louis has a tradition of asking Trick-or-Treaters for “one-line groaners” (What does a skeleton order for dinner at a restaurant? A T-bone!). I never know who enjoys them more—the kids or the door openers!

As Halloween approaches, keep an eye out for the decorated golf carts as they ferry little legs from house to house. It’s lots of fun, but please use caution and remember: Remember: you must be a licensed driver to operate a golf cart on the streets.

Last month’s cover featured one of our residents, Terri Desloge, who was recognized as a Woman of Achievement for her dedication and work through her foundation, The Synapsory, helping children with specific needs. Terri is a wonderful example of the generosity and spirit of the residents we have here in Clarkson Valley.

The Council has been busy, with a focus on streamlining as we update procedures, codes and ordinances and close loopholes we identify along the way.

• We have adopted a formal Finance Committee, as well as a Financial Policy, for the first time. We have also issued an RFP for banking services to various financial institutions.
• We’ve written a new ordinance that will require all companies, including utilities, to obtain a permit before commencing excavation work.
• We’re continuing to focus on codes that maintain the aesthetic appearance and character that initially attracted so many of us to Clarkson Valley. This includes property maintenance and the clear and consistent application of regulations that support those standards.
• We’re studying regulations other municipalities have adopted for the operation of e-bikes, scooters and similar vehicles to see what we might adopt to strengthen the safety of riders and motorists on our streets. We’ve all seen the proliferation of these vehicles, and according to NBC News, there has been a 670% increase in the number of injuries to children under the age of 18 between January–May 2023 and January–May 2026. These are great methods of transportation and a wonderful way to get kids outside (and off their screens!), but they can be dangerous if not operated with caution.

Please consider attending one of our meetings to see your Council in action. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 15933 Clayton Road, Ballwin, MO 63011, in our third-floor meeting room. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Sue McNamara,
Mayor, Clarkson Valley